Tag Archives: city of akron recycling

On Saturday September 27, as 15,000 runners were running through the streets of Akron- and even more spectators were lining the streets watching, Keep Akron Beautiful was assisting the Akron Marathon with their recycling efforts! Early in the morning, a crew of 15 made sure that the trash cans only had trash in them, and that the recycling bins were highly utilized. This group was sorting everything that people were throwing in the trash, pulling out water bottles, cans, and making sure the clothing was donated, not thrown away! Only ten bags of trash were collected at the start line, and 2 large blue recycling toters were FULL of recyclables.

On the concourse and at the finish line of the race, our Green Team was collecting heat sheets and grocery bags, chip bags to be recycled, powerbar wrappers to be recycled, bottles and cans and banana peels to be composted.

Thanks to a grant from Keep America Beautiful and The Coca-Cola Foundation, this is the second year we were able to utilize the 25 recycling bins designed specifically for placement at the race. These bins were placed on the concourse of Canal Park on Saturday, September 27.

A special thanks goes out to the “Green Team,” who worked together to make sure the recyclables and trash were in their proper places. From the start line to the finish line and everywhere in between, the volunteers did an amazing job! Congratulations Akron (AND ALL RUNNERS!) on another successful Akron Marathon!

With the continuing growth of recycling, requirements have changed in order to make it easier on the recycling plants.

As of December of 2013 the city of Akron has made some changes to the recycling process. One of the biggest changes is that they no longer want the recyclables to be placed in clear or blue plastic bags inside the bins, now the materials can be placed loosely in the bin and simply rolled to the curb. This change came about because plastic bags make the process more difficult on the plant. Workers must open and remove the bags from cans, and the bags can clog the machinery and momentarily stop the recycling process.

In addition to no longer wanting recyclables bagged here are other changes and reminders for Akron residents who use curbside recycling in a list of do’s & don’ts:

Do recycle:

Milk, juice, broth, soup and other food and beverage cartons after rinsing them out and flattening the cartons

Plastics No. 1 through No. 7

Paper and cardboard

Aluminum and metal cans, glass bottles and jars, labels can remain on the containers

If you don’t and would like to begin participating in the recycling program call 3-1-1 from any landline within the city or 330-375-2311 from any telephone to request a recycling bin!

Remember curb service customers who participate in recycling recieve a $2.50 discount per month and pay $19 compared to the $21.50 charged to customers who do not recycle. Make sure to start recycling today to not only save yourself money but help save the environment!

Keep Akron Beautiful has received comments and questions from residents wondering where they can find clear or blue recycling bags for their smart cart recycling.

Here is the answer to that, straight from Robert L. Harris, Jr., City of Akron Sanitation and Recycling Superintendent, and it’s a good one:

“You do not need to bag recyclables anymore as you will be able to throw all accepted recyclables together in the recycle cart LOOSE. Make sure all food/drink contents are rinsed beforehand. We made this decision a few weeks ago.”